Title: Black Rose, Crimson Sunset
Rating: PG-13 to R
Genres: Romance, Drama, Humor, Dark Humor, Slight Angst, Action/Adventure
Summary: In a realm that vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings exist, police have to keep order in any means necessary. Meet Detective Kamiya Kaoru. She's been on the force since the mysterious and untimely death of her father 4 years ago. Now cases like her father's are showing up once more and her boss, Saitou Hajime, a vampire, is making her, her best friend, Makimachi Misao, and her brother, Seta Soujirou, work on this case with vampires. Here enters Himura Kenshin and Shinomori Aoshi. Powerful and ruthless vampire lords who can't stand the being doing this. Will they be able to work together or will they rip each other's throat out first?
Pairings: Battousai/Kaoru, Aoshi/Misao, Sano/Megumi, Soujirou/OC
Warnings: Rating due to violence, swearing, sexual situations, and my strange sense of humor. Slight OOC, especially for Kaoru at the beginning.
Author's Notes: Um…this was actually a pretty difficult chapter to write. I kinda got sidetracked and then I had this strange conversation with one of my muses and it gave me an idea of a phrase for this. However…I had a hard time trying to figure out how to put it in here. I hope you like it. If you have any questions, you know the drill. E-mail me at lilfrozenfire369@yahoo.com mailto:lilfrozenfire369@yahoo.com . I also have a group on my bio page. Please join. I have only 11 people in it, including myself.
***
Chapter Three: Encounters
Alternate Title: "Encounters of the third kind" or "Getting mad, embarrassed, and hurt in one bound"
Kaoru glared at the vampire lord, hoping that it may kill him, again. 'Is it premeditated murder if I want to kill him, only he's been dead for who knows how long?'
"You can stop glaring now," a velvet voice suggested from her left.
Her glare intensified. "You deserve it! My brother did nothing to you, yet you still blame him. Anyone ever tell you you're an ass? No wait…that's insulting to donkeys and other asses. You are an insufferable, walking, breathing, damned corpse!"
He pulled over in front of an old fashioned building and turned to her. "I am not blaming your brother. He may have some information. However, you are acting like a spoiled child right now so grow up. We are here."
She glared a second longer before it was replaced by a stoic mask. "Let's hurry up so I can go back to hating you. And by the way, you did say that he was a suspect a while ago. Is your memory deteriorating in your old age?"
He did not dignify that with an answer. He just kept walking to the building. An old man met him at the door. "Hello, Himura," he greeted. He transferred his gaze to Kaoru and smiled. "Enchanted." He brushed his lips across her knuckles as she glared at Kenshin one more time.
"I am Okina. And who might this flower be?" he asked with a wink.
"I am Detective Kamiya," she answered formally. 'This guy is giving me the creeps,' she thought.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Now, what can we do for you?" he inquired.
"We need some information. The girls Meian only know that there are two people involved and that they have something called "The Final Phase" in mind," Kenshin said.
"That's pretty much all we have," Okina muttered, twirling a finger in his beard. "I suppose they told you that the Juppon Gatana is involved."
Kaoru glanced at Kenshin as he gave a sharp nod. "They mentioned something about that."
"Then we have no more information. We'll tell our Leader if we find out anything," he said.
"Thank you," Kenshin replied, leading Kaoru back to the vehicle.
"Anytime," called the waving figure from the porch.
"Does everyone know everyone?" Kaoru demanded as she buckled up. "Seriously...I swear that you guys have the best contacts around."
"We do," Kenshin answered.
Kaoru crossed her arms and started to grumble. "Where are we going next, Oh Fearless Leader?"
"To Patrol."
"Gee...I can tell that this is going to be fun," Kaoru muttered.
***
Kenshin drove to his apartment, saying that he had to get some things. "You stay here," he commanded.
Kaoru grumbled and waited until he disappeared into the building. She pressed the seatbelt release and shrugged out of her jacket. She turned up the radio and started to try to find a good station. She muttered darkly under her breath when all of her favorites had commercials on. "Stupid programming."
Kaoru swung to face the window, her dark ponytail gently hitting her in the face. She sighed as she saw a shooting star. "It is a beautiful night," she commented absently. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught some movement. She transferred her gaze and saw what looked like an arms dealing going down.
Her hand gripped the handle as Kenshin's command drifted through her mind. She snorted lightly and opened the door. She scurried across the parking lot and stood by the opening to the alley. She took a deep breath and casually walked into the alley. The beings turned her way and she gave a sweet smile. "Hello. I was just on my way home," she said in a sweet voice. She continued in a confused voice, "I don't remember there being a business in this alley, though. What are you selling?"
The only female turned to her and her green-tinged lips curved into a smile. A man by her, with what appeared to be a blindfold on, turned to her and answered. "That's easy, my dear. We are selling death. Would you like one?"
Kaoru felt her stomach roll. She mentally shook herself and acted like she was thinking. "No, thank you. I'm too young to die now. Besides, if I died, who would arrest you?" she asked in a concerned voice. She took her gun out of her holster and pointed it at them. "I believe this is the part when I say 'You are under arrest for illegal arms dealing. You have the right to remain silent--'" She was interrupted by the freaky guy that looked like his face was mostly his mouth. 'He's laughing! Jerk!'
"That's not possible, girl," he said in a crazed voice. "You see, our lord needs these and we always give him what he wants." He pulled a sword out of his sword sheath. "You guys can leave. This is my chance to lure Battousai. It won't take long."
The others left out the back way. "Hey! I wasn't done with you!" Kaoru yelled.
"Girl, I'm the one who you have to worry about, not those four," he said in a condescending tone.
"Listen. I have a name. It is not 'girl'. I'm Detective Kamiya. Who are you?" she demanded, sick of the derogatory names.
"Jineh."
"Well, Jineh. You wanted to fight, so let's fight."
"You're bait," he sneered.
"Bait?! For what?!" she demanded.
"Me," a coldly familiar voice said.
"Battousai. I will defeat you!" Jineh yelled.
'This is going to get boring. I'd better go find those four,' Kaoru thought as she climbed the fire escape. She climbed to the roof top and started to run in the direction they left. She saw them two roof tops ahead of her. She picked up speed and jumped. The landed wrong, but ignored the sharp, throbbing pain in her right ankle. She ran to the end of the rooftop just in time to see them jump off and climb into a waiting limo without plates. "Dammit!" she cursed, limping to the fire escape.
"I thought I told you not to move," a voice from her left said softly.
"I'm not good at obeying orders," she replied snidely. She held back a gasp as her ankle throbbed harder.
"Perhaps you should learn," Kenshin muttered as he supported her right side.
"I don't need your help. Besides, maybe you should learn to say 'please'," she retorted.
He sighed and picked her up bridle style. "It's easier this way," he said at her protest. "Besides, you didn't say 'please put me down'."
'Wow. He has a sense of humor. Hmm...' "Please put me down," she cooed sweetly into his ear.
He smirked and said, "No."
"Humph." She crossed her arms as he leapt off the final roof and landed gently on his feet. "Show-off," she muttered.
He put her in the back seat of her Blazer and took off his jacket to put under her foot. "Please keep it elevated."
"I will if you don't touch the radio," she replied.
He sighed and turned on the ignition. Music blared through the speakers as he started to go. "Isn't that a little loud?" he asked.
"No."
***
Soujirou answered the phone. "Moshi moshi?" Pause. "Where are you?" Pause again. "Why can't you open the door?" He held the phone away from his ear as Kaoru's voice drifted through the receiver. "Why is he carrying you?" Pause. "Just wondering. Okay. I'll open it now."
"Where is Jou-chan and who is carrying her?" Sano asked around his fishbone.
"She's coming up the stairs and Kenshin is carrying her. She didn't give me an answer as to why," Soujirou answered, opening the door. Kenshin walked through, carrying a fuming Kaoru.
"You said that you wouldn't touch my radio," she grumbled to him.
"It was too loud."
"Kaoru-chan. What happened to you?" Misao asked, rubbing her eyes.
"I fell."
"She didn't listen to me."
Kaoru glared at the redhead. "I fell while chasing suspects."
"We should get Kitsune over here to look at you ankle," Sano said, worry shining in his eyes.
Kaoru groaned. Was everyone against her? "Why not get some other doctor? How about Dr. Genzai?"
"You know that he's not as quick as he used to be," Soujirou said. "And Miss Takani is quick and efficient."
"Point?"
"Besides the point on your head?" Sano asked. Kaoru glared. "You need that taken care of now."
"He's right," Aoshi said, coming from living room.
Kenshin set her on the couch. "Where is your phone?" he asked Soujirou. He pointed at the kitchen.
After he came back, Kenshin filled everyone in on what happened, much to Kaoru's chagrin. She endured Misao and Sano rolling their eyes, Soujirou shaking his head, and Aoshi raising an eyebrow. Finally, the door opened to reveal a tall woman holding a medicine bag. "What did you do this time, tanuki?" she asked in a superior tone.
"Miss Takani, please come in," Soujirou said. She moved into the apartment to reveal the girls from Meian. "You three also, please."
"Thank you," came the chorused reply.
Megumi picked up Kaoru's ankle and examined it while her patient watched Sutaasafaia and Krystal talk to Kenshin about something. Soujirou told her what Kenshin told them had happened. "It appears to be fractured. You shouldn't have ran. It will need to heal. I'll give you some herbs to ease the pain and to help it heal. You are not to be on it at all for a week."
Kaoru glared. "How am I supposed to do my job? Or go to the bathroom?"
Megumi's fox ears popped up and she chuckled merrily. "Have Ken-san carry you."
Kaoru felt her cheeks heat up, but she hid it behind a glare. "I'd like to go to bed now," she announced. She started to stand up, but was picked up and carried in and deposited on her bed.
"Nighty night. Don't let any ugly vampires bite," Krystal said to Kaoru from the doorway.
"Yeah. Only the cute ones," Misao added.
"That is the general rule of thumb," Natalie pointed out at the same time as Megumi.
"So if Kenshin wants to suck your neck and give you a killer hickey, let him," Krystal said. They all grinned at Kaoru's red cheeks. Kaoru glared at the redhead in question, pushed him out, then reached over the edge of her bed and slammed the door as hard as she could. The demonesses covered their ears and glared at the shut door.
"Ouchies," Natalie said.
"I wonder if she's always like this or if she just has PMS," Krystal muttered as she rubbed her ears.
"Who knows?"
***
Gee...you people waited so long then get this short chapter. I'll try to make the next one longer. It took forever to write though. I wrote it while listening to Christmas music. ^_^ Thank my reaction to Mannheim Steamroller for this chapter.
Recommendation: Amber Linings by: Ravyn--Vampires in the Meiji with no Rurouni for the Battousai to fall back on. What would have happened if during the Bakumatsu Himura Kenshin would have been changed into a vampire and taught to feed his craving for blood. And the justice he would have served for the person who claimed his name, and the Dojo he learned from. A story where the mortal and the immortal battle for not only power, but control, lust, greed and possession. (very Dark, angst Battousai/Kaoru fic) Rated R--Basically I just love her work for RK. Check it out sometime.
Review answers:
Aglaia102, emsdesire, Fiery Shadow, chiko_sakara: Glad you like it! Sorry for the delay. Lots of homework. -_-; Evil teachers.
(no name): Thank you for the info. I will change that as soon as I go back through and edit.
Chiruken: Glad you like the suspense. Mushy goop is fun. Fun to read, fun to type, just fun. ^_^
Hi:)KONICHIWA;): Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for the delay. Blame the Teachers' Society for Eliminating Students' Free Time.
AnImEfReAk81: No problem. There is no way I could forget Yahiko-chan!
LittoGrrlStephie: I believe I have read one of your vampire fics. I will change Aoshi's group when I go back through and edit. Glad you like my story. Sorry about the delay.
the communist dust bunny: *laughs* Like I could resist adding that line. My friend told me "Bite me!" at that exact moment and I just typed it.
The Girl Who Cried Oro: Hmm…well, if or when you decide to update your story, let me know. That might motivate me to update quicker. ::hint::